Color image processing apparatus

ABSTRACT

The invention relates to a color image processing apparatus and, more particularly, to adjusting means of a color tone and a sharpness. According to the invention, there is provided a color image processing apparatus characterized by having processing means for performing processes to given color image data; memory means which can store a plurality of processing parameters of the processing means together with peculiar names, and means for searching the registered processing parameters from the memory means.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The invention relates to a color image processing apparatus and, moreparticularly, to adjusting means of a color tone and a sharpness.

BACKGROUND ART

In recent years, full color copying apparatuses are widely spread andthe color tone and sharpness can be also relatively easily adjusted. Forinstance, as shown in FIG. 18, a level display displayed on a panel isoperated by a touch key, thereby adjusting a color balance. A picturequality is adjusted by a function to adjust a ratio of each chrominancecomponent by % (percent) as shown in FIG. 19(b) after a desired colorwas selected as shown in FIG. 19(a), a function to adjust a magnitude ofa sharpness emphasis by a scale as shown in FIG. 20, or the like.

SUBJECTS THAT THE INVENTION IS TO SOLVE

In the above apparatus, for instance, in the case where an image havinga desired picture quality is obtained by adjusting the sharpness afterthe color balance was adjusted, several trial copies are ordinarilyperformed, so that vain copies and a surplus time occur. In the casewhere, after the operator was away from the machine after that, he wantsto again obtain a similar picture quality after a little while, there isa possibility such that another person has changed the setting duringsuch a period of time or the setting mode has automatically beenreturned to the initial setting mode. Therefore, the same adjustingprocedure must be again executed and the costs and time are expanded invain. To prevent such a drawback, it is sufficient to record thecontents which have been set after completion of each adjustment bywriting them onto a memorandum or the like. However, when the operationsbecome complicated, an amount of contents also increases and it is verytroublesome to individually perform the operations. In recent years,there is also an apparatus having a “memory key” function to store thesetting content at a certain time point into an internal memory.However, there is a drawback such that the number of keys is limited andthe number of setting modes which can be registered is limited and, whenthe number of keys is increased, the number of keys on an operatingsection vainly increases and the operations rather become complicated.

In consideration of the above drawbacks, it is an object of theinvention to provide a color image processing apparatus which can easilyset complicated processing methods for a color image.

DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION

To accomplish the above subjects, the present invention has: processingmeans for executing a plurality of content processes for given colorimage data; setting means for setting processing parameters of aplurality of processes to the processing means; and means for addinginherent names to the processing parameters which have been set by thesetting means and for registering.

To accomplish the above subjects, the invention has: processing meansfor performing processes to given color image data; memory means whichcan store a plurality of processing parameters of the processing meanstogether with inherent names; and means for searching the registeredprocessing parameters from the memory means.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a whole construction of an embodimentof the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a construction of a masking processingsection;

FIG. 3 is a diagram showing UCR and inking characteristics;

FIG. 4 is a diagram showing a construction of a sharpness processingsection;

FIG. 5 is a diagram showing a construction of a density convertingsection;

FIG. 6 is a cross sectional view of a color laser beam printer;

FIGS. 7, 8 and 9 are diagrams for explaining a method of designating anarea;

FIG. 10 is a diagram for explaining the production of an area signal;

FIG. 11 is an external view of an operating section;

FIGS. 12, 13 and 14 are diagrams for explaining the setting of densityconverting characteristics;

FIG. 15 is a diagram showing an operating procedure for an effectregistration;

FIG. 16 is a diagram showing an operating procedure for an effectdesignation;

FIG. 17 is a diagram showing parameters to set a sharpness;

FIGS. 18 to 20 are diagrams for explaining a conventional technique;

FIGS. 21, 22 and 23 are diagrams for explaining another method ofdesignating an area; and

FIGS. 24 and 25 are diagrams showing constructions of other embodimentsof the invention.

EMBODIMENTS

An embodiment of the present invention will be described hereinbelowwith reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 shows a whole constructionaldiagram of an image processing apparatus according to the invention. Thewhole schematic operation will now be described. Reference numeral 1denotes a color image sensor for color separating a reflection lightimage from a color image original every line and every pixel and forconverting into a corresponding electric signal. For instance, the colorimage sensor 1 is constructed by pixels of about 4700 pixels×R, G and B(three lines) so as to read the image of the whole width of the A3 sizeby a pixel density of 400 d.p.i. Read color image signals 200 areprocessed by an analog processing circuit 2 so as to match with inputdynamic ranges of a black/white balance A/D converter 3 with respect toeach color and are converted into the digital signals by the A/Dconverter 3 at the next stage, so that digital image signals 201 ofrespective colors are obtained. A shading correcting circuit 4 correctsa light amount variation of a reading optical system (not shown), asensitivity variation of every pixel of a CCD sensor, and the like. Theapparatus has a construction such that the read full color image is oncestored into an image memory and is thereafter read out synchronouslywith a sync signal from, for example, a color printer. Therefore, thedata is compressed, thereby reducing a memory capacity. Since the humaneyes have characteristics such that a sensitivity is high for theluminance component in the image and a sensitivity is relatively low forthe chrominance component, the read R, G and B signals are convertedinto an L signal as a luminance component and a and b components aschrominance components (6). The luminance component is directly suppliedto an image memory 8 and the a and b components are vector quantized (7)and the data amounts are reduced and, after that, they are stored intoan image memory 9. Since a method of converting the R, G and B signalsinto the L, a and b components and a method for vector quantization arenot the essential points of the present invention, their detaileddescription is omitted here. The coded image signals which have oncebeen stored in the image memories 8 and 9 are read out in correspondenceto the image outputs of the respective colors synchronously with a syncsignal ITOP 245 in the sub scanning direction which is obtained from acolor printer 100 (206, 207). The image signals are again decoded intoR, G and B (208, 209, 210) signals by a decoding circuit 10. A yconverting circuit 11 converts the R, G and B signals into C, M and Ysignals corresponding to densities of coloring agents.

To chrominance signals 211, 212 and 213 (corresponding to M: magenta, C:cyan, Y: yellow) corresponding to the image signals, what are calledmasking process, inking, and undercolor removal (UCR) to correctimpurities of the colors due to the unnecessary absorption in thespectral characteristics of the coloring agents which are used in theprinter, practically speaking, the magenta toner, cyan toner, and yellowtoner in this case are executed, thereby obtaining an image reproductionnear the color tone which the original has. In a sharpness process 14 atthe next stage, components having a high spatial frequency in the imageare emphasized and a sharpness is enhanced. In a density convertingcircuit 15, the highlight portion and shadow portion of each chrominancesignal can be emphasized and the adjustment of the whole tone and thelike can be executed. As will be explained hereinbelow, a plurality ofparameters regarding the masking processing arithmetic operations, aplurality of parameters to determine a magnitude of the sharpness in thesharpness process, and a plurality of density converting characteristicscan be independently variably set by a CPU 19. Further, as will beexplained hereinlater, those parameters and characteristics can beswitched to a plurality of values by area setting signals 220, 221 and222 at a high speed.

A pattern corresponding to the area of an arbitrary shape which issupplied from an editor 17 is written in a mask plane 16 for area by theCPU 19. The pattern is read out synchronously with the image uponformation of the image and the foregoing area setting signals 220, 221and 222 are produced on the basis of the read pattern. On the otherhand, the processing contents in the designated area, for instance, theparameters regarding the color tone and sharpness are determined as willbe explained hereinlater on the basis of an instruction which is givenby the operator via an operating section 18. Reference numerals 20, 21and 22 denote a program ROM, a data RAM, and an output port for the CPU.

FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a construction of a masking processingarithmetic operating circuit. It is well known that the masking processis realized by a printing technique or the like by the followingarithmetic operations $\begin{bmatrix}M^{\prime} \\C^{\prime} \\Y^{\prime}\end{bmatrix} = {\begin{bmatrix}{mm} & {mc} & {my} \\{cm} & {cc} & {cy} \\{ym} & {yc} & {yy}\end{bmatrix}\begin{bmatrix}M \\C \\Y\end{bmatrix}}$for the input chrominance signals (M, C, Y). Ordinarily, since the abovearithmetic operating parameters are unconditionally determined by thetoners with respect to one kind of image, it is sufficient to alsoprepare nine kinds of parameters of mm to yy as mentioned above. In theembodiment, four kinds of sets of parameters are prepared. For instance,[mm₁-yy₁] to [mm₄-yy₄] are prepared and switched on a pixel unit basisby signals 220-1 and 220-2, thereby enabling the masking arithmeticoperations to be executed by the different parameters even in the sameimage. Reference numerals 224-1 and 224-2 denote color switching signalswhich are generated from the output port 22 on the basis of the controlof the CPU 19 in a manner such that they are set to “0, 0” during theoutput of M, to “0, 1” during the output of C, and to “1, 0” during theoutput of Y. When the signals 224-1 and 224-2 are set to “0, 0”, in ablock 50, the input “0” is selected in all of selectors 37, 38, 39 and40 so as to be supplied as coefficients for the main color component ofM among three groups and four sets which have been set in registers 25to 36. mm₁, mm₂, mm₃ and mm₄ are supplied to a selector 41. That is,desired values of mm₁ to mm₄ are selected as coefficients of the maincolor component by the area signals 220-1 and 220-2. Similarly, cm₁ tocm₄ denote coefficients for a correction signal M upon formation of theC image and ym₁ to ym₄ similarly denote coefficients for the correctionsignal M upon formation of the Y image.

Blocks 51 and 52 have constructions similar to that of the block 50. Theoperations are substantially the same as those of the block 50 exceptthat only the correspondence of the color differs. The whole operationswill now be explained with respect to the case of forming the M image asan example. Now, assuming that the area signals 220-1 and 220-2 are, forinstance, set to “0, 0”, for the image signals M, C and Y (211, 212,213), mm₁ is supplied to a multiplier 42, mc₁ and my₁ are supplied tomultipliers 43 and 44, and M×mm₁, C×mc₁, and Y×my₁ are generated asoutputs. On the other hand, min(M, C, Y), namely, the black component iscalculated (241) in a minimum value circuit 53 and passes through an LUT54 and a density converted value K_(UCR) 237 is generated as an UCRamount and is subtracted from an output 236 (M×mm₁+C×mc₁+Y×my₁) of anadder 45 by 46. Therefore, K′₁ (242) is generated as an output 240 uponformation of the black image and an output 238, namely,(M×mm₁+C×mc₁+Y×my₁)−K_(UCR) is generated upon formation of the images ofM, C and Y. The masking and UCR processes are completed. Moreover, asmentioned above, the coefficients mm₁, mc₁ and my₁ can be arbitrarilyvaried here by area signals 220-1, 220-2, AR₀, and AR₁.

Delay circuits 23 and 24 have different delay amounts and correct theimage delays which are caused for periods of time, for instance, fromtime points when the image signals 211, 212 and 213 are subjected to themasking and UCR processes to time points when the processed signals aresupplied to the sharpness circuit at the next stage. For instance, nowassuming that a delay of M pixels occurs in the masking and UCR circuitand a delay of N pixels occurs in the sharpness processing circuit, thedelay circuits 23 and 24 are provided as delay circuits having delayamounts of M and N pixels, respectively.

Further, a plurality of sets of lookup tables LUTs 54 and 49 todetermine an UCR amount and an inking amount are also prepared. In amanner similar to the above, for instance, characteristics as shown inFIGS. 3(a) and 3(b) can be switched by the area signals AR₀ and AR₁ andthe characteristics I→II→III→IV can be also selected.

The sharpness processing circuit 14 will now be described. In theembodiment, the sharpness processing circuit is based on a well-knownmethod by so called a Laplacian method. That is, as shown in FIG. 4(a),for example, in a block of small pixels of 5×5, when it is assumed thata density value of the center pixel is set to {circle around (1)} anddensity values of the pixels around the center pixel are set to {circlearound (2)}, {circle around (3)}, {circle around (4)} and {circle around(5)}, an edge amount E is calculated by what is called E=k×{circlearound (1)}−l×({circle around (2)}+{circle around (3)}+{circle around(4)}−{circle around (5)}). The edge emphasized signal is derived byD=E+{circle around (1)}. In order to calculate the black of 5×5, a line251 including the center pixel, a line 252 which is preceding to theline 251 by two lines, and a line 250 which follows the line 251 by twolines are obtained at the same timing by line memories 55, 56, 57 and 58each having an FiFo structure. Further, the center pixel {circle around(1)} and the peripheral pixels {circle around (2)}, {circle around (3)},{circle around (4)} and {circle around (5)} are obtained by delayelements D (59-1, 59-2, 60-1 to 60-4, 61-1, 61-2), thereby calculatingthe edge amount. In the above circuit as well, the values of k and l ofcoefficient registers 70-1 to 70-4 and 72-1 to 72-4 can be varied tofour kinds of values within ranges of k₁ to k₄ and l₁ to l₄ by areasetting signals AR′₀ (221-1) and AR′₁ (221-2) indicative of arbitraryshapes in the image. For example, when it is assumed that (AR₀, AR₁)=(1,0), l₂ and k₂ are selected by selectors 69 and 71, respectively, and aresupplied to multipliers 65 and 66, so that the edge amount is set toE={circle around (1)}×k ₂ −l ₂×({circle around (2)}+{circle around(3)}+{circle around (4)}+{circle around (5)})A sharpness emphasis different from that mentioned above is obtained.Further, the coefficients k and l can be arbitrarily rewritten by thecontrol of the CPU as will be explained hereinlater and the edge amountcan be also finely adjusted by an adjusting mechanism.

FIG. 5 is a diagram showing a construction of the density convertingblock 15. As a fundamental operation, the density converting block 15has 1functions such that the image data is supplied from 218 and isdensity converted by an LUT (lookup table) 74 and, for instance, thehighlight portion is emphasized by the shadow portion or the colorbalance is adjusted. Reference numeral 199 denotes a CPU bus. Adifferent LUT can be set every color by rewriting the contents in theLUT 74 comprising an RAM by the CPU in the non-image output operation.In the above LUT as well, the density converting characteristics can beswitched by area setting signals AR″₀ and AR″₁ (222-1, 222-2) inaccordance with an arbitrary shape of the image as will be explainedhereinlater. Now, assuming that the number of bits of the image data isset to eight bits, for instance, 256×4=1024 bytes for four banks of Bk₀to Bk₃. The rewriting operation of the LUT is completed in about 10 mseceven when, for example, it takes 10 μsec to write data of one byte. Thecolor printer according to the embodiment is a full color printer of thetype as shown in FIG. 6. Namely, a laser beam which has been imagemodulated by a laser diode 82 is reflected by a polygon mirror 81. Whilethe laser beam is being raster scanned, a latent image corresponding toeach of the color separation images is area sequentially formed onto aphoto sensitive drum. The latent images are area sequentially developedby corresponding developing 1devices (M, C, Y, K) 79-1 to 79-4. Thedeveloped images are area sequentially copy transferred onto a copypaper wrapped on a copy transfer drum 78. The images of four colors ofM, C, Y and K are overlaid. After that, the paper is peeled off from thecopy transfer drum and the images are fixed by a thermal pressure fixingdevice 83, thereby finishing the full color copy of one sheet. A timeinterval between surfaces is equal to about one to two seconds.Therefore, since there is an enough time to rewrite the LUT 74, noproblem occurs. FIG. 5(b) shows an example of writing characteristics ofthe LUT 74. 0: the input/output characteristics are linear. 1: both ofthe highlight portion and the shadow portion are slightly emphasized andare set to slightly hard tones. 2: the highlight portion is emphasized.3: the shadow portion is emphasized. Either one of 0 to 3 is properlyselected by the area setting signals AR″₀ and AR″₁.

Means for setting an area of an arbitrary shape on the basis of thecoordinates of points which are continuously given by an editor will nowbe described. FIG. 7 shows a state in which an original O is put ontothe editor 17 and a non-rectangular area F in the original is designatedby using an editor pen 101. For instance, the left corner of the editorpanel surface is set to a start point, the sub scanning direction is setto the Y direction, and the main scanning direction is set to the Xdirection. Coordinates (X, Y) of the indicated point are supplied fromthe editor 17 to the CPU 19 as data indicative of the Xth pixel after Ylines from the start point. On the other hand, since the mask planememory for area described in FIG. 1 is a mask plane which is providedfor an area so as to correspond to the image areas in a one-to-onecorresponding manner, it is sufficient for the CPU to successively writethe values necessary for addresses (X_(n), Y_(n)) corresponding tosupplied coordinate points (X_(n), Y_(n)).

For instance, when it is now assumed that the editor pen continuouslypasses along a path of P₁→P₂→P₃→P₄ as shown in FIG. 8(a) and the pointssampled at regular time intervals are set to P₁, P₂, P₃ and P₄, it issufficient to write predetermined data into corresponding addresses(black points) in the memory as shown in FIG. 8(b). In this instance,the connection (for example, P₁ and P₂, P₂ and P₃) -between the samplingpoints is executed by a linear interpolation on the basis of thecoordinates of two points. Therefore, a non-rectangular arbitrary shapeis formed by connecting short line segments. An interpolating methodwill now be described in accordance with FIG. 9. Assuming that thesampling points are set to A₁(X₂, Y₂) and A₇(X₇, Y₇), a straight linepassing two points A₁ and A₇ is${Y_{n} - Y_{1}} = {\frac{Y_{7} - Y_{1}}{X_{7} - X_{1}}( {X_{n} - X_{1}} )}$Thus, $\begin{matrix}{X_{n} = {\frac{( {Y_{n} - Y_{1}} )( {X_{7} - X_{1}} )}{Y_{7} - Y_{1}} + X_{1}}} & (1)\end{matrix}$

Since it is sufficient to increase one line by one in the Y direction,Y₂=Y₁−1, Y₃=Y₁+2, . . . and the line number is increased one by oneuntil Y₇. Therefore, by substituting it into the equation (1), forexample,${X_{2} = {\frac{X_{7} - X_{1}}{Y_{7} - Y_{1}} + X_{1}}},{X_{3} = {\frac{2( {X_{7} - X_{1}} )}{Y_{7} - Y_{1}} + X_{1}}},...$

Since X_(n) is an integer, by selecting to the nearest integer, thecoordinates of (X_(n), Y_(n)) are decided. It is sufficient tosequentially write the data into the addresses. In the embodiment, sincethe data to be written is constructed, for example, so as to designatefour kinds of areas by a depth of two bits, “00”, “01”, “10” and “11”are written in accordance with the areas. For instance, in the case ofdesignating the first area, by writing the data of “01” into the addressindicated by the black dot in FIG. 8(b), accordingly, the address whichis calculated by the equation (1), the area setting operation isfinished.

Explanation will now be made with respect to a method of producingactual area signals from the area designation data which has been presetin the mask plane memory for area in FIGS. 10(a), 10(b) and 10(c).Reference numeral 87 denotes a mask plane memory for area. For instance,assuming that the apparatus has a memory corresponding to only acapacity of the whole surface of the A3 size in which an image inputdensity is set to 400 d.p.i.,297×420×{(25.4/400)⁻¹}²=31 M pixels

Therefore, the memory has a capacity of 2 bits×31 M. X and Y counterscount pixel clocks (248) and horizontal sync signals (246), therebyproducing X and Y addresses in the memory, respectively. On the basis ofa sync signal (not shown) 247 in the sub scanning direction, the countvalue of the Y counter is initialized to “0” and the count value of theX counter is initialized to “0” by the horizontal sync signal 246. Onlyin the cases other than the case where data 249 and 250 of two bits forarea production which have been read out by an address 253 produced bythe X and Y counters are equal to “0, 0”, an LCLK 254 which is suppliedto J/K flip-flops 91 and 92 is stopped. When the data 249 and 250 areequal to “0, 1”, “1, 0”, or “1, 1”, the LCLK is supplied.

That is, when the data in the memory are equal to values other than “0,0”, the outputs are inverted by the J/K FF 91 and 92, so that the areasignals AR₀ and AR₁ are produced as shown in FIG. 10(b). For instance,for a curve area as shown in FIG. 10(c), the area signals of the Nthline, (N+1)th line, . . . , and (N+n)th line are produced and suppliedas area signals which function in FIGS. 2, 4(b) and 5(a).

Although a digitizer has been used in the above embodiment, forinstance, the invention is not limited to the digitizer for an image ofcomputer graphics or the like, but it is also possible to use an imagedesignating method by a computer by using a pointing device (also calleda mouse) as shown in FIG. 23.

Consequently, in the case of area designating a portion of a “tree” in anon-rectangular image, for example, an image as shown in FIG. 21, it ispossible to designate more accurately than the conventional designationby a rectangle as shown in FIG. 22.

Explanation will now be made with respect to a method of designating andoperating a state of a desired image for the area of an arbitrary shapewhich has been described so far, for instance, a color tone, a density,or an atmosphere of the image. FIG. 11 shows an example of an operatingsection embodying the invention. Reference numeral 96 denotes a key anddisplay section to adjust the balance of the coloring agents, in which anumerical value indication “5” corresponds to a center value. Therefore,now assuming that M, C, Y and K are preset to 5, 4, 6 and 3, thestraight line data having characteristics as shown in FIG. 12 is storedinto the density conversion RAM 74 shown in FIG. 5(a). Since the presentprinter area sequentially forms the images in accordance with the orderof M→C→Y→K, by rewriting the LUT 74 for periods of time T_(M), T_(C),T_(Y) and T_(K) other than the image generating time periods as shown ina timing chart of FIG. 13, the converting characteristics are changedevery color, thereby adjusting the color balance. On the other hand,reference numeral 98 denotes an effect adjusting key and 99 indicates aneffect registrating key. Those keys are used so as to obtain a similareffect by a method whereby the adjustment is performed in a one-touchmanner by words for the color or atmosphere of the image, for example,the “words” to express a human feeling such as “Bluish”, “Autumn-like”,“brightly”, or the like as displayed on a touch panel display screen 97or a method whereby after the color balance, sharpness degree, colortone, and the like were adjusted, a resultant atmosphere is registeredas feeling “words” and, thereafter, the registered character train issupplied. Ordinarily, the number of copies, the cassette selection, thenumber of sheets selected, the magnification setting, and the like aredisplayed on the display panel screen. However, they are omitted herebecause they are not concerned with the essence of the description ofthe present invention. For instance, as shown in FIG. 13, it is nowassumed that a “bluish” image is obtained by setting the color balanceof Y (yellow) and K (black) to 5 and by setting M and C to 6 and 7,respectively. In this instance, when the effect is registered by amethod as will be explained hereinlater, by merely designating andinputting the registered characters “Bluish” after that, processingparameters are automatically set. For the areas of four arbitraryshapes, for example, when setting such that with respect to the magentacolor, the area 1 is set to a hard tone and the area 2 is set to thehighlight emphasis and the area 3 is set to the shadow emphasis as shownin FIG. 5(b), the color balance is set to 3 and adjusted to be slightlythin, so that each tone can be adjusted by using the setting (straightline Q′) of 3 as a reference as shown in FIG. 14. Therefore, even in thecase of the readjustment such as change and improvement of theadjustment so far, they can be adjusted by only the changing operation.

Methods of registering the effect and designating the effect will now bedescribed in accordance with FIGS. 15 and 16. The effect registration isexecuted by the effect registering key 99. In the case of the adjustmentperformed by the user, for instance, in the case where the sharpness isslightly emphasized (the values of k and l shown in FIG. 4(b) arechanged) and an undercolor removal amount and an inking amount are setto slightly large values (the characteristics of FIGS. 3(a) and 3(b) areset to IV) and a feeling of the image is set to be clear, by depressingthe effect registering key 99 in the above state, the picture plane onthe touch panel changes as shown in FIG. 15(a). Subsequently, byselecting desired characters from the character input area provided in apart of the editor as shown in FIG. 15(b), in this case, by inputting“c”, “l”, “e”, “a”, “r”, “l”, “y” and, thereafter, by touching theposition of “Register”, the parameters of the undercolor removal, inkingamount, and edge amount are registered into the internal memory. FIG.15(c) shows the contents in the memory. The adjustment parameters of“clearly” mentioned above are shown. The UCR characteristics withrespect to M, C, Y, and K are set to “IV” and the inking amountcharacteristics are set to “IV”. The color balance characteristics areset such that M, C, Y and K=“5”. The edge parameters are such that k=5and l=14, which mean ¼. Therefore, as explained hereinlater, when theeffect designation such as “clearly” is performed after that, theparameters in FIG. 15(c) are set into a predetermined register in theforegoing processing circuit corresponding to the designated area.

FIG. 16 shows displays on the operation panel showing an operatingprocedure to designate the effect.

For the effect designation, by first depressing the effect key 98, thescreen is changed to the picture plane of S1. Whether the area isdesignated or not is instructed. When there is an area designation, arectangle or a non-rectangle is designated. In this case, for instance,since a non-rectangle is designated, the screen is changed to thepicture plane of S2. In this state, a desired non-rectangular figure onthe image is traced by an editor pen as shown in FIG. 16(b). Asmentioned above, predetermined address arithmetic operations areexecuted into the relevant mask plane memory for area. After that, thedata is written. After completion of the area designation, by touchingthe “OK” portion, the screen changes to the picture plane of S3. Sincethe user wants to designate “clearly” here, “c” is touched so as tosearch on the “c” row, so that “clearly” is displayed in the pictureplane S4 selected by the “c” row. For “clearly”, it is sufficient to usethe foregoing effect registered condition setting. By designating “3.clearly” on the screen, the screen changes to the picture plane of S5. Adegree of “clearly” is adjusted here. In the example, “clearly” denotesa degree of sharpness and can be switched to multi stages by rewritingthe values of the foregoing coefficients k and l. For instance, as shownin FIG. 17, sixty-four kinds of parameter sets are stored in addressesAD₀ to AD₆₃ in the memory in a manner such that k_(n)>k_(n+1) andl_(n)>l_(n+1). Assuming that the coefficients k and l of the degree ofsharpness set just before the adjustment in the picture plane S5 in FIG.16(a) are set to (k_(n), l_(n)), k and l in the degrees 1, 2, . . . , 9of “clearly” shown in S5 are set so as to correspond such that (k_(n−4),l_(n−4)), (k_(n−3), l_(n−3)), . . . , (k_(n), l_(n)), . . . , (k_(n+4),l_(n+4)). Therefore, for example, when “7” is selected in the adjustmentof “clearly”, (k_(n+1), l_(n+1)) are set into the registers 71 and 69 inFIG. 4(b). Due to this, the state just before the adjustment and settingis used as a reference and the adjustment can be performed by a feelingof more “clearly”.

FIG. 16(c) shows a modification of the above embodiment. In theembodiment, it is assumed that only “OK” is displayed in place of thepicture plane S3.

In this instance, since the user wants to designate a feeling of“clear”, “clear” is inputted by the editor pen and “OK” key is touched.When the touching operation of the “OK” key is detected by the CPU,“EFFECT” to select by using “clear” as a key word is searched. In thiscase, the words “clear” to “clearly” are searched and “clearly” isselected as an effect. Even in the case where a character train such as“clearing”, “vividly”, “vivid”, etc. as synonyms of “clearly” areinputted, “clearly” is selected. Therefore, in the screen S4, theselected EFFECT “clearly” is displayed. When the operator again confirmsby the “OK” key, the screen changes to the picture plane S5. A degree of“clearly” is adjusted here.

The memory means for search mentioned above is provided in the RAM 21 inFIG. 1 and the non-volatile performance is held by a battery or thelike, so that the contents are not extinguished by the power-off.

Second Embodiment

FIG. 24 shows the second embodiment. In the embodiment, the read imageis thinned out by a thinning-out circuit 220 and a capacity is reducedand the resultant image is stored into a display memory 207. The readimage is displayed on a display 208 in an operating section of thecopying apparatus. The operator traces on a designating panel 209 by apointing device 210. Area information 215 is supplied to a CPU 206through an input port 211. On the other hand, the set information of thecolor and sharpness are given from an operating panel 221 and likewisesupplied to the CPU 206. A picture quality of an arbitrary figure isadjusted on the basis of the data written in a mask memory plane 212 onthe basis of the input area data and the parameters in a processingsection 205 determined on the basis of the information of the set colorand sharpness. Reference numeral 225 denotes a character code memory forcharacter display. Reference numeral 226 indicates a character generatorto display characters onto the display device 208. Characters to bedisplayed are sent to the display device 208 through an OR circuit 227,so that a picture plane is displayed as shown in FIG. 16(a). Bydesignating on the picture plane by the pointing device, the operationsfor a procedure for designation and registration of characters areexecuted.

Third Embodiment

FIG. 25 shows the third embodiment. In the embodiment, a character traininput apparatus by which a hand writing operation can be performed isused. Hand written characters given by a hand writing panel 232, a pen233, and a display 236 are recognized by a controller 235 and sent tothe CPU 206 via a bus 230. 1A code of the recognized characters issupplied to a driver 237. The recognized characters are displayed andchecked. The adjustment regarding the picture quality, for instance, thecolor balance and sharpness can be instructed from an operation panel234 in a manner similar to the first embodiment. On the basis of theinput character train, the CPU 206 searches predetermined processingparameters and, after that, sets into a predetermined register in theprocessing section by a bus 231 and the present function can berealized.

As described above, according to the embodiment, the adjustment of theimage can be registered and set by the character train such as wordslike, for instance, “Blue”, “Autumn-like”, “Cearly”, “Brightly”, etc.indicative of the feeling or atmosphere of the image, names like“TANAKA”, “YAMAMOTO”, etc., so that the complicated setting operationscan be easily performed by a number of combinations. The aboveoperations can be realized by the input means of character train,display means of character train, setting means and changing means ofthe image processing parameters, registering and reading means ofcharacter train indicative of the image format, and designating means ofeach of the processing contents.

As described above, according to the embodiments, the parameter sets foradjustment of the picture quality can be set up to the maximum memorycapacity and can be also registered and set by the words near the humanfeeling. Consequently, even the operator who doesn't know the principleand apparatus for forming a color image can easily and simply adjust.Moreover, the functions can be also easily added and changed withoutadding any key. Therefore, the apparatus can be realized by cheap costs.

In the embodiments, the processing parameters are registered by thepeculiar names by “words” using the digitizer. However, the invention isnot limited to such a method. For instance, it is also possible toregister by a combination with voice recognition.

In the embodiment, although the printer shown in FIG. 6 is used as aprinter, another recording method such as an ink jet recording apparatuscan be also used.

In such a case, the circuit shown in FIG. 2 for the color maskingprocess and the circuit shown in FIG. 5(a) can be also provided inparallel every color component.

EFFECTS OF INVENTION

According to the invention, a number of complicated processing methodsof a color image can be registered.

According to the invention, there is an effect such that the useefficiency is improved because the registered processing parameters canbe searched together with the peculiar names.

1-10. (canceled)
 11. A color image processing apparatus comprising: afirst input unit adapted to input an identifier by a user; a secondinput unit adapted to input information indicating plural kinds ofparameters instructed by a user; a registering unit adapted to registerthe identifier input by said first input unit with each of the pluralkinds of parameters input by said second input unit; a display unitadapted to display the identifier registered in said registering unit sothat a user can select the identifier; and a color image processing unitadapted to perform a color image process based on the plural kinds ofparameters based on the identifier selected by the user.
 12. A colorimage processing apparatus according to claim 11, wherein said colorimage processing unit performs independently plural kinds of color imageprocesses corresponding to the plural kinds of parameters.
 13. A colorimage processing apparatus according to claim 12, wherein each of theplural kinds of color image processes respectively corresponds to one ofthe plural kinds of parameters.
 14. A color image processing methodcomprising: a first input step adapted to input an identifier selectedby a user; a second input step adapted to input information indicatingplural kinds of parameters instructed by a user; a registering stepadapted to register the identifier input in a first input step with eachof the plural kinds of parameters input in said second input step; adisplay step adapted to display the identifier registered in saidregistering step on a display so that a user can select the identifier;and a color image processing step adapted to perform a color imageprocess based on the plural kinds of parameters based on the wordselected by the user.
 15. A color image processing method according toclaim 14, wherein in said color image processing step plural kinds ofcolor image processes corresponding to the plural kinds of parametersare performed independently.
 16. A color image processing methodaccording to claim 15, wherein each of the plural kinds of color imageprocesses corresponds to a respective one of the plural kinds ofparameters.